Brand New Machine – The Devil Made Me Do It (2013) – CD Review

A couple of months ago, when my good friend Ryo Vie was in town, we did what most rabid music fans do. We went binge shopping at the local Cincinnati music stores. While rummaging through one of my favorite local haunts, Shake It Records, I stumbled upon the band Brand New Machine. Shake it Records had a listening station where I could hear the CD, The Devil Made Me Do It. After listening to the first three songs, I knew I wasn’t leaving the store without buying this CD.

I was dumbfounded that I didn’t know about this band already. I thought maybe I overlooked a press release, or got them mixed up with another band. Lets face it, there is Brand New, New Medicine, Machinehead, Brand New Sin, and several other bands with similar sounding names. Brand New Machine sets themselves apart by offering fans a classic sound with a modern twist. On The Devil Made Me Do It, I can hear a mix of KISS, Guns N’ Roses and maybe a little bit of Foo Fighters. This is one of those releases that you can listen to from beginning to end without the need to skip tracks. Their sound really works, and there isn’t a bad song on the CD.

Once I opened the CD booklet, I quickly discovered that Brand New Machine’s guitarist is none other than Michael Thomas. The same Michael Thomas who I have seen play with Faster Pussycat and Beautiful Creatures in the past. Not only does the band have a kickass guitar player, but they have one of the best new hard rock singers I have heard in a while. Front man, Brantly Thompson delivers the goods with his whiskey stained vocals on The Devil Made Me Do It.

One way or another, I was destined to find this CD, I am glad that I did. I love this disc, and I am pretty sure you will too!

Rating: Out of 10

Track Listing:
1. Here I Am
2. Girls Like You
3. Devil Made Me Do It
4. Dust in The Sky
5. Here and Gone Today
6. Living For Another Day
7. Always on the Run
8. Blackout Overdose
9. Lettin’ It Roll
10. What Do I Gotta Do
11. Let Me Go